In Your Words

“(His) father is in the penitentiary and his mother had been brutally murdered. I pledged to the grandmother…that I would not give up on (him) and for her to ask him not to give up on me. ”

“(Name withheld) came to the Dream Center Basketball Program…He was the most rebellious youth of them all. He would not listen to the coaches or referees. He disrupted practice and in games he either gave up or fouled out in a state of complete rebellion and frustration. He was being raised by his grandmother, a Christian woman, who had the foresight to insist that he keep coming to practice. (His) father is in the penitentiary and his mother had been brutally murdered. I pledged to the grandmother…that I would not give up on (him) and for her to ask him not to give up on me. After four months, (he) has become the best player in the league; he is by far the best floor leader. His play is unselfish and he delights in helping his teammates play well…He has a goal now to attend Richwood High School rather than Peoria Central High School so that he can go to college. From Christian teaching and love, (he) is on his way. This last Saturday, after the game, (he) accepted his own personal Testament. I gave him a big hug, told him what a wonderful person he is, how much I love him and how proud of him I am. He gave me a real hug back and thanked me for being his friend.”

—Gary Gerhold
Volunteer Coach, Dream Center Basketball Program
Ministry Leader, IMPACTeens

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